The Rate Of Colon Cancer Is Increasing! Here Are 5 Symptoms Women Must Take Seriously

Experts are concerned about the increase of people under the age of 50 developing colon cancer. Only a few years ago, the majority of colon cancer patients were older men and women. Today, people under 50 are four times more likely to have colon cancer than they were in 1990.

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Michael Sapienza, CEO of Colorectal Cancer Alliance, told TODAY that doctors are not exactly sure what's going on but that women need to be very observant.

A lot of people misread the symptoms of colorectal cancer because they believe they are unlikely to have the condition. This is a very dangerous mistake. It is now more important than ever to watch out for the signs that you may have colon cancer.

Fatigue

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This is one of the most common symptoms of colon cancer. Women with the condition will often feel exhausted or generally weak. This is because the tumors slowly bleed into the digestive tracts and over time, this robs your body of red blood cells and iron. As a result, you end up suffering from iron-deficiency anemia and will begin to feel tired and/or experience shortness of breath a lot.

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Bleeding in your rectum

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Many women misread this symptom because rectal bleeding can often be a sign of other harmless conditions like hemorrhoids or a minor anal tear. In fact, a lot of women who were diagnosed with rectal and colon cancer say they initially thought they had hemorrhoids due to the itching and bleeding. See a doctor if you're experiencing rectal bleeding especially if it's happening for the first time.

Blood in your poop

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The red streaks may make your poop appear very dark or give it a tar-like appearance (indicating dried blood). A recurrent observation of blood in your poop needs to be checked out.

Unexplained changes in bowel habits

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The tumors can cause a change in the consistency, shape or frequency of your bowel movements. You may experience such symptoms as constipation, diarrhea or a feeling that your bowel isn't emptying completely after going to the toilet. You may even observe pencil-like stools which usually happen when the cancer is obstructing the intestine. If these symptoms last more than a week, you should see a doctor.

Pain in your stomach

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Other signs of colon or colorectal cancer include tenderness in the belly, cramping, nausea or vomiting. Usually, this means the cancer has spread beyond your intestine.

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Unfortunately, one big problem with colorectal cancer is that there are usually no obvious signs in the initial stage. So, ensure you go for regular screening exams such as colonoscopy to check things out.

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When these procedures are done, small clumps of cells that form in the lining of the colon can be removed before they develop into cancer.

This article is solely for informational purposes. Do not self-diagnose or self-medicate, and in all cases consult a certified healthcare professional before using any information presented in the article. The editorial board does not guarantee any results and does not bear any responsibility for any harm that may result from using the information provided in the article.